Vacuum steam-heating system.



J. L. SPARKS. I VACUUM STEAM HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12, 1908.

Patented Aug 3, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

U Inventor:

James L3 arks bYWZw -I/ Witnesses J. L. SPARKS.

VACUUM STEAM HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 001212, 1908.

Patented Aug. 3. 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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James L. Sparks BY Wm mum Atbv's.

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J. L. SPARKS.

VACUUM STEAM HEATING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12, 1908.

Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Wihnassas inventor: James l Sparks by MW Mama AhhY'a.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES L. SPARKS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC VACUUMPUMP COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

VACUUM STEAM-HEATING SYSTEM.

liq 929,800.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1908.

Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

Serial No. 457,303.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES L. SPARKS, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Vacuum Steam- Heating Systems, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompan ing drawings, forming part of this'specication, in which- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a vacu um steamheating system constructed in ac- 5 cordance with my invention Fig. 2 isan enlarged sectional view taken on approximately the line 22 of Fig. 1;Fig. 3 is an enlarged view partly in verticaljsection of a portion ofthe vacuum pump and the valveoperating mechanism; Fig. 4 is a frontelein section; Fig. 6 is adetail perspective view of the water-sprayingdevice; and Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the steamvalve and its casing. v

This invention relates to vacuum steam heating systems.

The main object of my invention is to rovide a vacuum steam heatingsystem w ich is so designed that a continuous vacuum will be maintainedin the radiators and circulating pipes of the system even after theaocomprising a steam vacuum puma and means independent of the boilerWhic 1 supplies the system with steam, for generating steam andintroducing it into the cylinder of the vacuum pump. And still anotherobject of my invention is to provide novel means for imparting movementto the valveoperating mechanism which controls the admission of steam tothe vacuum pump.

Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafterpointed out. Briefly described; my improved system comprises a boilerfor genera-ting'steam, radiators and c rculating pipes for receiving thesteam from the boiler, a steam vacuum .7? P nnected to one of thecirculating pipes and adapted to exhaust the air from the system so asto create a vacuum therein,

and means independent of the boiler for generating steam and introducingit into the cylinder of the vacuum pump to create a vacuum therein whenthe steam condenses.

In the preferred form of my invention as herein shown, the meansindependent of the boiler for generating steam and introd-ucin it intothe vacuum pump, consists of a co or similar heating device arranged inthe fire-box of the boiler and connected to a.

valve casing providedwith a valve that is V operated automatically toadmitsaid steam into the vacuum pump, said valve being so constructedthat the steamwhich is generated in said coil or auxiliary steamgenerating device is introduced into the circulating pipes and radiatorsof the system after the vacuum ump. has been supplied with a charge otsteam. Means is also provided for permitting the steam that is generatedin the boiler to flow into the vacuum pump whenever an excessivepressure is obtained in the boiler so as to prevent the water in theboiler from backing u or being forced into 'thecoil or auxiliary eatingdevice that is arranged inside of the fire-box of the boiler. The meansfor imparting movement to the valve-controlling mechanism consists of abellows that is adapted to be expanded by gas produced from a volatilel1 uid contained in a device that is heate by the steam that exhaustsfrom the cylinder of the vacuum pump, and means is also provided forlocking the valve-operating mechanism to revent it from admitting steamto the cylmder of the vacuum pump so long as a certain vacuum exists inthe system.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred form of myinvention, A designates a steam boiler of an preferred design, B desinates one of the ra iators of a vacuum steam eating system, 1 a pipeleading from the boiler A to said radiator for introducing steam intosame, and 2 a pipe leading from the radiator or from one of thecirculating pipes of the system for exhausting the air therefrom so asto create a vacuum in of the radiators and circulating pipes of thesystem.

The reference character C designates the cylinder of a steam vacuum pumpinto which 1 arranged, respectively, in the pipe 13, in the that leadsfrom the steam dome by means of pipe 2, which leads from the radiatorsand circulating pipes ofv the system, being tapped into a pipe 3 thatpasses into the upper end of the cylinder C of the-vacuum pump, a checkvalve 2 being arranged in the pi e 2 to prevent steam from enteringsame. he upper end of the ipe-3 projectsinto a valve casing 4 inside oiwhich asteam valve 5 is arranged, and one port of said valve casing isconnected by means of a pipe 6 with the steam pipe 1 that leads from theboiler A.

Means separate and distinct from the boiler .is provided forgeneratingysteam I which is introduced into the c linder of the vacuumpump, and in the pre erred form of my invention as herein shown, saidmeans consists of a coil 7 that is "arranged inside of the fire-box ofthe boiler A, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The water in theboiler A is introduced into the coil 7 by means of a pipe 8, and a pipe9leads from the up er end of said coil to a steam dome 10 IOVl ed with adrain pipe 11 that leads tot e lower end of the coil 7, the water supplpi e 8 from the boiler being tap ed into this rain pipe 11. A pi e 12leads lli'om the upper side of the steam ome 10 to one of the ports ofthe valve casing 4 of the steam valve, and the steam supply pipe 1 whichleads from the boiler A is connected to the steam pipe 12v a pipe 13.Check valves 13*, 8 and 11 are water supply pipe 8 from the boiler, andin the drain pipe 11 from the steam dome, and said check valves are sodesigned that they openin the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig..1.

' The valve 5 that controls the admission of steam into the cylinder ofthe vacuum pump is'provided with a duct 14, as shown in Fig. i 7, thatis adapted to always register with two of the admission ports of thevalve casing 4, said valve casing being provided with three admissionports, one of which communicates with the pipe 3 that projects into theupper end of the cylinder of the vacuum pump and the other two admissionports communicating with the steam pipes 6 and 12 that lead from thesteam supply pipe 1 and the steam dome 10, res ectively. The valve 5 isrotatably m'ounter in the casing 4 and is adapted to receive a quick andsudden stroke by mechanism hereinafter described, said valve-operatingmechanism comprising an actuating lever 15 shown in Fig. 3 that has oneof its ends ad'ustably connected by a set screw 16 to a bell crank lever17 whic is pivotally connected at 18 to a stationary support, hereinshown as a casing 19, inside of which a bellows or expansible device 20is arranged. The other end of the lever 15 is connected by means of alink 21 to the operating mechanism for the valve 5, and a weight 22 isadjustably mounted on said- The lever 15 is moved upwardly by means ofthe bellows 20, the top portion of which is provided with a projection23 that is pivotally connected to one arm of the bell crank lever 17 towhich the lever 15 issecured.

The means herein shown for expanding the bellows-20 consists of a closedreservoir 24 inside of which gas is generated when the steam escapesfrom the lower end of the cylinder C of the vacuum pump through theexhaust pipe 25 leading therefrom, said reservoir being provided at itslower end with a plurality'o'f approximately U-shaped tubes 26 thatcontain alcohol or some other volatile liquid. The upper end of the gasreservoir 24 is connected to the bellows 20 by means of a conduit 27so'that the gas which part movement to the lever 15 which actuates thevalve-operating mechanism. Instead of connecting the conduit 27 directlyto the bottom of the bellows I prefer to tap said conduit into thesupport 28 of the'housing 19inside of which the bellows 20 is arranged,said support being provided with a duct 29, as shown in Fig. 3, thatestablishes communication between the conduit 27 and aperiorated lug-3Oon the bottom of the bel- I lows that enters a screw-threaded socket inthe support 28. p

The gas reservoir 24 is arranged inside of a cylindrical-shaped casing31 provided at its upper end with a cap or cover and having its lowerendcontracted at 32, as shown in Fig. 1. The exhaust pi 'e 25 that'leads"from the lower end of the cy inder C of the vacuum pump is tapped intoa pipe 33 which casing 31, and said pipe 33 and also the casing 3.1 isprovided with ports 34 thatpermit the air and steam which passes out ofthe vacuum ump into the-casing 31 to escape from sau casing.

A water supply pipe 35 is provided with a I branch 36 that enters theupper end of the cylinder C of the vacuum pump and this p pe 35terminates adjacent the upper end of the gas reservoir 24 so as tointroduce a stream of water onto same to cool it off quickly and thuspermit the bellows 20 to "contract. Preferably, 'a flange 37- isarranged at the upper end. of the gas reservoir to form a water cup, asshown in Fig. 1 and said flange is provided with, a plurality ofperforations that permit the water to es cape and flow down the sides ofthe gas reservoir.

The branch water pipe 36 that enters the upper end of the cylinder C ofthe vacuum pump is provided with a spraying device that consists of aflat plate 38 carried ,by standards 39 that are connected to a per- 105projects 1nto the lower contracted'end of the a water supply pipe 35 isprovided with a' cook 41 that can be turned to cut off the flow of waterto the gas reservoir, and said 5 and close said valve.

pipe is also provided with a check valve 42' which opens in thedirection indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3.. I also prefer to providethe discharge pipe 25 of the cylinder of the vacuum pump with a" checkvalve 25* that opens in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1seas to prevent air from entering said cylinder;

The flow of watenthrough the pipe 35 is controlled by a valve, the stem43 of which is provided with an arm 44 that is adapted to be engaged bythe mechanism that; controls the operation of the steam valve 5.

This valve-operating mechanism is shown clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, andis similar in construction to thevalve-operating mechanism disclosed inthe pending application of James L. Sparks an Edward R. Eddins,

Serial' No. 427,600, filed April 17, 1908. Said mechanism consists of arock arm 45journaledon a stub shaft 46 that is carried by astationaryframe 47, said stub shaft being arranged in longitudinal alinement withthe stem 5 'of. the'steam valve 5. This rock arm 45'is connected bymeans of the link 21 with the free end of the actuating lever 15, andsaid rockarm is provided with a pair of laterally projecting lugs 45 and'45 that are C adapted to engage and impart movement to an operatingmember consisting of an arm 48 loosely mounted on thestub shaft 46 andhaving its upper end pivotally connected to the lower end of a guide rod49 which passes throu h a stationary guide '50 on the frame 47. coiledexpansion spring 51 which surrounds the rod 49 is interposed between astationary collar 52 on the lower end of the rod and a movable collar 53on the upper end of the rod, said movable collar having its uppersidebeveled so as to produce a fulcrum teeth which bears against theunderneath side of the guide 50 through,which the rod 49 extends, asshown in Fig. 4. Anapproximately t l-shaped device 54 is connected tothe stem 5 of the steam valve 5, and the legs of said ll-shaped deviceare provided with laterally projecting lugs 54 and 54 that are adaptedto be engaged by the arm 48 oithe operating member to close and open thesteam valve. The frame 47 is provided with a stop 55, and the rock arm45 and V- shaped device-54 are provided with shoulders that are adaptedto codperate with said stop to limit the movement of said rock arm andV-sl1a ed device. 'l'he rock arm 45 is also provi ed with a pair offriction rolls'56 and 57 that are adapted to enga e the arm 44 on thestem 43 of the water va ve so as to open VJhen the steam valve .the gasreservoir.

- arm I 45 .will'compress the spring 51" and when is open, as shown inFigs. 1 and 7, so as to permit steam to pass from the pipe 12 into thecylinder of the vacuum pump, the rock arm 45 and the V-shaped device 54on the stem of the steam valve will occupy the position shown in Fig. 4,and when the steam .valve is closed the shoulders 58 and 59 ofthe rockarm and V-shaped device, respectively, will contact with t e stop 55.When the actuatinglever 15 is moved u )wardly by the expansion of thebellows 20 t e rock arm 45. W1 1 be moved in the direction of the arrowin Fig. 4, and the lug 45 on said arm will engage the arm 48 of theoperating member and-move it to the-left, looking at Figs. 3 and 4. "Thefirst portion of the movement of arm 48 moves the rod 49 u wardly andcom-' presses the spring 51 an when said arm passes itsdead center thespring 51 will expand and thus complete the movement of. the arm 48 tothe left, thus causing said arm 48 to strike the lug 54 on the V-shapeddevice 54 and impart a quick movement to the valve stem 5 so as to turnthe steam valve into such a position that steam cannot enter the clinder of the vacuum pump. Just before the arm 48 of the operatingmember strikes the lug 54 of the V-shaped device saida-rm strikes thelug45? of the rock arm 45 and imparts a sudden movement to said arm so thatthe roll 56 thereon will engage the arm 44 onthe stem 43 of the watervalve and move it downwardly so as to open the water valve and permitwater to flow into the cylinder of the vacuum pump and onto W hen thebellowsZOeontracts so that the actuating'lever 1 5 can move downwardlythe lug 45 of the rock 1 will engage the arm 48 of the opera t ingmember and move it to the right. The first portion of the movement ofsaid arm sa1 arm passes its dead center the spring 51 will expand andcomplete the movement of said arm in this direction, said armengagingthe lug 54 on the V-shapeddevice 54 so as to open the steamvalve quickly and also engag ingthe lug 45 on .the rock arm 45so as tocause the roll 57 on said arm to engage the arm 44 on the stem of thewater valve and close same.

Means is provided for locking the valveoperating mechanism in such aposition that it cannot operate to open the steam valve,

and in the apparatus herein shown said means consists of a bell cranklever 60 that is adapted to be shifted into the path of movement of therock arm 45. The arm 6-1 of said: bell crank lever has a bifurcatedportion that receives a pin 62 on a plungerfiS which is connected to theto side of a bellows 64 formed by a pair of iaphragms that have theirperipheral edges connected together, said bellows being adapted to beexpanded by a spring 65 interposed between a station.-

ary support and an adjustable nut 66 on the plunger 63. The bellows 64is ada ted to be contractedv by exhausting the air t erefrom, saidbellows being connected by means of a pipe 67 with the exhaust pipe 2which leads from the radiators and circulating pipes of the system tothe cylinder of the vacuum pump.

Having described the details of construction of the various deviceswhich constitute my improved vacuum steam heating system I will nowdescribe the operation of same. The boilerA supplies the radiatorsandcirculating pipes o the system with steam and the steam vacuum pump 0exhausts theair from the system to create a vacuum therein. A vacuum iscreated in the pum C by introducing steam into the cylin er of the pumpand allowing it to condense, the passage of the steam into said cylinderforcing the air therein out through the discharge pipe 25. Instead ofrelying on the steam which is generatedin the boiler A to operate thepump, I have provided the fire-box of the boiler with a coil 7 so thatsteam will be generated in said coil whenever there is any fire in thefire-box. Consequently, if the steam in the boiler A falls belowatmospheric pressure the pump willnot fail to operate for the coil 7insures a supply of steam above atmos heric pressure in the steam dome10 at all times. bteam passes from the steam dome.

through the pipe 12 into the cylinder 0 of the pump when the steam valve5 occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, the entrance of said steam intosaid cylinder drivin out the air in same through the discharge pipe 25.The steam 'expels all of the air from the cylinder of the vacuum pumpand some of the steam passesout of the cylinder through the dischargepipe 25 and up into the casing 31 of the gas reservoir. Vvhen said steamcomes in contact with the tubes 26 at the lower end of the gas reservoirthe volatile liquid in said tubes will be heated and thus create a gaswhich flows through the conduit 27 into the bellows 20, therebyexpanding said bellows. The expansion of the bellows20 moves theactuating lever 15 upwardly and thus inaparts movement to the rock arm45 which moves the arm 48 of the operating member of the valve mechanismto the left,'the movement of said arm 48 turning the valve 5 into such aposition that the duct -14-therein is,

brou ht into registration with the ipe 12 that eads from-the steam domeand t e pipe 6 that leads from the steam supply pipe 1 so that the steamfrom the team dome can flow into the radiators and circulating pi es ofthe system. *This movement of the va ve 5 closes the pipe 3 andconsequently cuts oil the admission of steam to the cylinder ofthe ump.The steam that has been introduced into the cylinder of the pumpcondenses and thus creates a vacuum that exhausts the air from theradiators and circulating pipes of the system. I prefer to introduce aspray of water into the cylinder of the pump to cause the steam tocondense quickly but this is not absolutely necessary as the steam wouldcondense without introducing water into the cylinder. As previouslystated, the water is introduced into the cylinder by means of the branch36 which leads from the pipe 35 and the 'valve which controls thepassage of' water throu h said pipe is opened y the operating mec anismfor the steam valve 5 at approximately the same time said valve is movedtocut oil. the supply of steam to the cylinder 0. Water from the pipe-35is also discharged onto the gas reservoir 24 to cause it to cool ofiquickly and as soon as said reservoir cools the bellows 20 will contractand e thus permit the weight 22 to move the actuating lever 15downwardly, the downward movement of said lever actuating the rock arm45 of the valve mechanism so as to ,cause said mechanism to elosethewater valve and'also move the steam valve 5 into such a position thatthe duct 14 therem registers with the steam inlet pipe 3 of the pumcylinder and the supply fnpe 12 which lea s from the steam dome. heseoperations are repeated automatically so long as there is any fire underthe boiler A, a supply of steam I being introduced into the pumpcylinder intermittently to create a vacuum which exhausts the air fromthe system.

When an excessive pressure of steam is obtained inv the boiler A thesteam will escape through the pipe 13 which is tapped into the supplypipe. 12 that leads from the steam dome, thereby eliminating theossibility of the water in the boiler Abeing f drced into the coil 7 andthence into the cylinder of the pump. In other words, no. matter howmuch pressure is. in the boiler A the wa- I ter in said boiler will notback up into the coil 7 for the pipe 13 permits the steam to escape intothe cylinder of the pump or the pipe 6 which leads to the circulatingpipes of the system.

So ion as there is a certain vacuum in the system t e valve-operatingmechanism will be locked in such a position that it cannot operate toclose and 0 en the steam valve intermittently for sai the bellows 64 andthus holds the bell crank lever 60 in the path of movement of the rockarm 45 of the valve-operating mechanism. Thatis to say, after theactuating lever 15 has moved upwardly to cut off the supply of steam tothe cylinderof the pump, the vacuum which is created by the condensation of the steam in said cylinder will con-- tract the bellows 64 andthus move the bell vacuum contracts crank lever 60 into sucha positionthat it nwardly to open the steam valve, When the vacuum is destroyed orfalls below a certain stage the spring 65 will expand and thus expandthe bellows 64, thereby moving the ell crank lever 60 out of the path ofmovement of the rock arm 45 so that said arm can move downwardly andopen the steam valve. By adjusting the nut 66 on the plunger 64 I canvary the tension of the spring 65 and thus accurately govern theoperation of the locking device for the valve-operating mechamsm.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desiretosecure by Letters Patent is:

1; In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to thecirculating pipes of the'system, a vacuum pump for exaustlng the airfrom said pipes and comprising a closed tank that is rovided adjacentits lower end with a disc iarge opening,

means independent of the boiler for enerating steam and introducing itinto said tank to create a vacuum therein, a valve for controlling theadmission of steam into said tank, means operated by the heat of thesteam that exhausts from the discharge opening of said tank after theentire contents of same has been displaced for controlling the operationof said valve, and means for 3 preventing air or any other substancefrom flowing back into the tank through said discharge opening.

2. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to thecirculating pipes of the system, a vacuum pump for exausting the airfrom said pipes, said pump having a closed cylinder, means independentof the boiler for generating steam, and meansfor causingsaid steam toflow into the cylinder of the vacuum pump for a certain period andthereafter flow into the circulating pipes of the system.

3. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler, a pipe leading from saidboiler for su plying steam to the circulating pipes of t 1e system, avacuum pump for exhausting the air from the circulating pipes, said pumpcomprising a cylinder that is )rovided adjacent its lower end with adischarge opening, means for preventing air or any other substance fromentering the tank through said discharge opening, means independent ofthe boiler for generating steam and introducing it into the cylinder ofthe vacuum pump to create a vacuum therein, and automatically 0 eratedmeans adapted to be operated by t e steam that escapes through thedischarge opening of the pump cylinder after the entire contents of samehas been discharged for out- 50 tin oi? the supply of steam to saidcylinder an introducing said steam into the pipe that leads from theboiler to the circulating pipes of the system.

4. In. a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam tothe circulating valve arrange ipes of the system, a steam vacuum pump orexhausting the air Trom said 1 ipes and comprising a cylinder that isrovlded adjacent its lower end with a disc large openin'g, meansindependent of the boiler for generating steam and introducing it intothe cylinder of the pump to create a vacuum therein, a valve for cuttingoff the supply of steam to said cylinder, mechanism for operating saidvalve, means adapted to be 0 erated by the steam that escapes from the'd ischa'rge opening of the pum cylinder after the entire contents ofsame as been forced through said discharge opening for impartingmovement to said valve mechanism, and means for, preventing air or anyother substance "from entering the pump cylinder through said dischargeopening.

5. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler, a pipe leading from saidboiler for supplying steam to the heat distributing devices of thesystem, a steam vacuum pump for exhausting the air from saidheat-distributing devices, said ump having a cylinder or tank that isprovi ed adjacent its lower end with a discharge opening, means forpreventing air or any other substance from flowing into said cylinderthrough said discharge opening, means independent of the boiler forgenerating steam, a valve casing having ports that communicate withconduits that lead to the cylinder of the vacuum pump, to said auxiliarysteam generating means, and to the steam-supply ip'e leading from theboiler, a

d in said valve casing, and automatic means 0 erated by the steam thatescapes through t 1e discharge opening of the cylinder after the entirecontents of same has been displaced for operating said valve to causepart of the steam which is'generat'ed in said auxiliary means to flowinto the cylinder of the pump, and part of said steam to flow into theconduit that communicates with the steam-supply pipe that leads from theboiler. 7

6. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steamto thecirculating pipes of the system, a steam vacuum pump for exhausting airfrom said pipes, said pum consisting of a cylinder that is provided a jacent its lower end with a discharge opening, means for preventing airor any other substance from flowing into the cylinder through saiddischarge opening, means independent of the boiler for generating steam,a valve for causing enough of said steam to flow into the cylinder ofthe pump to discharge the contents thereof and thereafter cause thesteam generated by said auxiliary means to flow into the circulatingpipes of the system, mechanism 120 for operating said valve, and meansadapted to be operated by the heat of the steam that escapes from thedischarge opening of the pump cylinder for imparting movement to saidvalve mechanism.

7.I1ia vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to thecirculating pipes of the system, a steam vacuum ump or exhausting theair from said circuating pipes and comprising a cylinder providedadacent its lower end with a discharge opening, means for preventingairor-any other substance from entering said. cylinder through saiddischarge opening, means independent of the boiler for generating steam,a valve for admittin charges of said steam into the cylinder of filevacuum pump to create a vacuum therein, and meansarranged in the path ofthe steam that escapes from the discharge 0 ening of saidpump cylinderafter the entire contents of same has been discharged for controllingthe operation of said valve. v

8. Ina vacuum heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to thecirculating pipes of the system, a steam vacuum pump for exhausting theair from said ipes, said pump.

com risln a closed cylin er, means indepen ent 0 the boiler forgenerating steam, a valve for admitting said steam into the cylinder ofthe pump .to create a vacuum there-1 1n, mechanism'for operating saidvalve, and locking means cooperating with said valveoperatlng mechanismfor causing it to remain at rest so long as a certain vacuum ex ists inthe system.

9. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for sup lying steam to thedistributing pipes and ra iators of the system, a vacuum pump forexhausting air from said pipes and radiators, said pump comprising aclosed cylinder, a water-heating device arranged in the fire-box of saidboiler, a steam dome for receiving the steam generated in saidwaterheating device, and means for permitting either the steam that isgenerated in the boiler or the steam from said steam dome to flow intothe cylinder of the vacuum pump to create a vacuum therein.

10.' In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam tothe circulating pipes of the system, a vacuum pump for exausting the airfrom said pipes, sald pump comprising a closed cylinder, a water-heatingdevice arranged inthe fire-box of the boiler, a steam dome connected tosaid water-heating device, a drain-pipe leading from said steam domeback to said water-heating device, a pipe leading from said steam domefor supplying steam to the cylinder of the vacuum pump, and means forpermitting the steam in the oiler to flow into said pipe and thus beintroduced into the cylinder of the pump when an excessive pressure isobtained 1n the boiler.

. 11.-In a vacuum steam heatmg system,

a boiler forsuplrxplying steam to the circulating pipes of t' e system,a steam vacuum pump for exhausting the air from said pipes, said pumpcomprising a cylinder provided with an outlet, means ,for preventingairor any other substance fiom entering said cyl inder through saidoutlet, means independ-' ent of the boiler for, enerating steam, a

valve for'admitting sai steam into the cyl-' inder of the pump to createa vacuum therem, operating mechanism. for controllingsaid valve andadapted to be operated by the steam that escapes from said pum a lockingdevice cooperating with said va ve operating mechanism to retain it inan inoperative position, and means controlled by t e vacuum in thesystem for causing said pendent of the boiler'for generating steam,

a valve for admitting said steam lnto the cylinder of the pump to createa vacuum therein, operating mechanism for controlling said valve andadapted to be operated by,

the steam that escapes from said pum ,a'

locking device cooperating with said va veoperating mechanism to ,retainit in an inoperative osition, and adjustable means controlled y thevacuum in the system for causing said locking device to becomeoperative.

13. In a vacuum steam heating system,

a boiler for supplying steam to the circulat-- ing .pipes of the system,a steam Vacuum pumpfor exhausting the air from said pipes, said pumpcomprising a closed cylinder that is provided with an outlet, means forpreventing air or any othgr substance from entering the cylinder throughsaid outlet, means independent of the boiler for generating steam, avalve for admitting said steam into the" cylinder of the pump to createa vacuum therein, operating mechanism for controlling said valveand-adapted to be operated by the steam that escapes from said pump, alocking device cooperating with said valve-operating mechanism to retainit in an inoperative position, a bellows connected to said lockingdevice for imparting movement thereto, yielding means for moving saidbellows in one direction, and means for permitting the vacuum in thesystem to move said be lows in the op osite direction.

14. In a vacuum steam. eating system, a boiler for supplying steam tothe circulating pipes of the system, a steam vacuum pump for exhaustingthe air from said pipes, said pum comprising a closed cylmder, means'inependent of the boiler for generating steam and introducing itiuto thecylinder of the pump or into the circulating pipes of the system, andmeans for preventmg' the steam generated by said auxiliary means fromesca inginto the system when it should enter t e cylinder of the vacuumpump.

15. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam tothe circulating pipes of the system, said pump comprising a closedcylinder, a steam vacuum pump for exhaustingair from said pipes, meansindependent of the boiler for generating steam, a valve for causing saidsteam to flow into the cylinder of the pump for a certain period andthereafter flow into the circulatin pipes of the system, and athermodynamica 1y operated means for controlling said 'valve.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses, this tenth dayof October 1908.

' JAMES L. SPARKS.

Witnesses:

WELLS L. CHURCH, GEORGE BAKEWELL.

